ABOUT THE VENUE

SNWMF is thrilled to be hosted at the Mendocino County Fairgrounds in Boonville since 2005. Situated in the heart of the picturesque Anderson Valley, the Fairgrounds
is an ideal place for our outdoor music and camping festival. Located just two hours north of San Francisco, the Fairgrounds
is easily accessible from the Bay Area airports. The camping is in a lovely valley surrounded by hills dotted with oak trees! Come celebrate the summer solstice & world peace with us!

Mendocino County Fairgrounds Slideshow

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pictures

Local Links

A Little
Boontling Courtesy of

In the 1800's, Anderson Valley was an isolated and quite provincial farming and logging community. Life was hard, and entertainment was a luxury. Sometime around 1880, a small group of Anderson Valley residents created a few slang words to use in their private conversations, both for their own amusement, and to confound anyone who might overhear them harpin' (talking). They created new words as they went, trying to shark (stump) their companions. Over time the vocabulary grew, as did the number of people familiar with it. Eventually, every resident of the valley had at least some knowledge of Boontling (Boonville Language), as the lingo came to be called. For many, Boontling actually became their primary language, and they had difficulty reverting to English when circumstances required it.

Boontling flourished in the valley for as much as forty years, and can still be heard, when some of the codgy kimmies (old men) get together. There are very few Boont harpers left, and its use has dwindled greatly, but evidence of the language can still be found, if you know where to look. Local public pay-phones are designated as Bucky Walters (nickel telephones). The local tow-truck has "Boont Region De-arkin' Moshe" (Anderson Valley Un-wrecking Machine) stenciled on the side. And the Anderson Valley Brewing Company has christened their ales with the Boontling names of certain valley regions, as a tribute to the spirit of Anderson Valley and its people. Listed below are some of the terms that we use in reference to the Boonville beers and an assortment of other Boontling words.

Study the glossary below, and when you are ready, come take the Boontling Challenge. Test your knowledge of the short ling! Or, if you'd like to get a feel of how the language sounded,
click here to read The Brightlighter's Jonnem, a short story written in Boontling with its English translation.

Aplenty (also plenty) - Very, or Many

Apple-head - Girl friend

Bahl (-er, -est) - Good, or great (better, best;
greater, greatest)

Bahl Hornin' - good drinking

Baldies - The primarily grassy hills to the east of
Boonville, with few trees.

Belk Region - Bell Valley. A scenic valley located
just beyond the baldies, northeast of Boonville. It was here in
the hop fields, during the turn of the century, that the
language of Boontling originated.

Bluetail - a Rattlesnake

Boarch - To repeatedly partake of an enjoyable event
or activity.

Boont - Boonville. The largest community and focal
center of Anderson Valley. The town where the language of
boontling originated. Now famous for its local brewery.

Briney - Ocean.

Bucky - A nickel.

Burlap - Sexual intercourse

Can-kicky - Angry

Charlie Ball - To embarass (A local American Indian
of this name was easily embarrassed).

Chiggrul - Food

Cock a Fister - To fight.

Deek - To look or see.

Deep Enders - Residents of the town of Navarro,
located west of Anderson Valley and bordering the Pacific Coast.

Frattey - Wine.

Gorm - Food, or to eat.

Greymatter - The brain; To think.

Harp - To speak, esp. to speak Boontling.

Heelch - A large quantity, or the whole amount of
something. All.

High Rollers - Residents of the town of Yorkville,
the smallest town in Anderson Valley. Located 10 miles east of
Boonville.

Hoot - Laugh

Horn - A cup, a drink; to drink.

It's not just shy sluggin' gorms neemer - Translates
as "It's not just for breakfast anymore."

It's a slow lope'n a beeson tree - Literally a
comfortable pace on a horse, while sitting on a very comfortable
saddle. Commonly refers to a relaxed feeling, or "a mellow
ride."

Jeffer - A large fire. (A Boonter named Jeff built
large fires in his fireplace.)

Kimmie - A Male resident of Boonville. Can be
extended to mean any man.

Larrup - To beat up, whip, or kick the tar out of
someone or something.

Lews and Larmers - Gossip.

Ling - Language

Moshe - Any machine or devise, especially an
Automobile. To use a machine. To drive a car.